Tips For Starting A Gym Routine
Let’s face it, the gym can be super intimidating. There are a lot of super confident, strong bodied people milling around and the facility has so many different options it can be so overwhelming.
Guess what? They were all beginners too!
Starting a gym routine is a lot easier than you think! Here is how:
Get a Tour
Ask someone at the front desk to give you a tour of the facility. The first thing you want to know is the lay of the land. Which equipment is where, where are the water stations, the group exercise studios, the weight room etc.
Get proper workout clothes
When I started going to the gym workout clothes were incredibly expensive (but that could also be due to the fact that I was a college student). Now you can go to any major department store and get workout clothes for decent prices. Make sure you try them on–nothing is worse than feeling uncomfortable in your clothes…at the gym.
Eat.
Don’t eat a full meal right before you go workout because moving around with a heavy tummy is not fun. Having an apple/banana/yogurt is a easy snack that will fuel you but not weigh you down.
Get on the treadmill
If this is your first time ever in a gym and you want to just get your body moving, get on a treadmill and just walk. You can set the incline to 1.0 with a speed of 2.0 and increase as you see fit.
Use your smartphone
Another great resource for going to the gym is right in the palm of your hands. I created a full list of fitness apps for your smartphone that can guide you through a quick routine to a more advanced set. The best part is that you can use the apps with your music while they give you direction on which exercise to do.
Build the best gym bag
Think about everything you might need in the perfect gym bag. Being prepared withe everything makes the gym experience run that much smoother.
Know your limitations
Work hard but don’t go crazy. Your body will let you know when you are done and when you can push a bit further. Don’t fall into the comparison trap with someone that may have been attending the gym and working out for way longer than you have.
Have fun
Get your favorite workout tunes (if you prefer) and just go for it. Like walking on the treadmill? Go for it. Like gliding on the elliptical? Go for it. Once you get more comfortable in your surroundings you can progress and move on to more intermediate machines and classes.
7 comments
dont get paralysis by over over analysis is my tip.
at some point —-JUST START!!
<3
YES to what Carla said and maybe bring a friend. Don’t rely on said friend but sometimes it’s easier and less scary when you have a buddy 🙂
What great tips and honestly just couldn’t agree more, Nellie with all of the above here! 😉
Great tips! I always say pick something you really like to do! Otherwise, you will not go back!
I definitely agree with getting suitable workout clothes. And I found the nicer the workout clothes, the more likely I am to workout. I always look forward to putting on my favorite nice workout clothes. It’s always great motivation for the gym.
I need a more personal gym where there aren’t a lot of people the big gyms scare me just a bit.
The only gym I really know about here has a rock climbing wall, a place for kids, and a bagel place! Counterproductive with the bagels, maybe, but I like its style!